Latest news with #CityofMontreal
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Montrealers fed up as city rips up new asphalt for second round of construction
Residents say tearing up fresh asphalt for more construction shows poor planning, but the city says it's part of finishing the bike and bus lanes. Some Montrealers living near Henri-Bourassa Boulevard say they're frustrated after fresh asphalt laid down last summer was torn up for more roadwork this spring—construction they feel never seems to end. Christina Iacono, whose daughter's daycare is located right by the Henri-Bourassa Boulevard and Saint-Denis Street intersection, says she's fed up. 'Just trying to get to work… dropping off my daughter has become a nightmare,' Iacono said. 'I don't think digging up the street for a bike lane twice in one year is an efficient way to work.' The street is a major artery with businesses and homes nearby. Residents say it's a challenge to get around, but the City of Montreal says it's adding lanes for bikes and buses. 'It's going to be more secure for pedestrians, for cyclists, for people moving around with public transit as well,' said city spokesperson Philippe Sabourin. He explained that since work wasn't complete, the city put a thin layer of asphalt down to get through the winter. It's this temporary patch that was ripped up and will be replaced with a thicker, more permanent paving job. 'It's impossible to build with concrete and asphalt during the winter because it's too cold. Those material cannot be dried,' he added. And despite delays, the city will complete the project in a month. However, for Iacano, there are too many unanswered questions, so she has launched a petition calling for a moratorium on the construction. 'It's really anger and frustration at how tax dollars are being spent,' she said.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Tour de l'Île: Montrealers asked to clear streets for major cycling event
Cyclists set out on the Tour de l'ile, in Montreal, Sunday, June 5, 2022. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP) Montreal's biggest yearly cycling events, the Tour la Nuit and Tour de l'Île, are only days away, and the city is asking residents to plan their commutes in advance. Both events will take place east of Pie-IX Boulevard. Friday's Tour la Nuit will cause road closures between 7 p.m. and midnight. City spokesperson Philippe Sabourin said those living along the race's path will have to move their cars by 1 p.m. or they may be towed. The city created a map highlighting the areas that will need to be cleared. No parking signs are already in place. 'For shoppers, if you have the habit to go with your car to do groceries Friday night, please do it before 7:30 p.m., otherwise it could turn into a nightmare. So, you don't want that. Plan your move,' Sabourin said. Those along the Tour de l'Île path will have to move their cars by the end of Saturday night to make sure the street is clear for Sunday's activities. Road closures are expected between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Though businesses and residents have already been made aware of the road closures, the city is urging people to use the Waze app or Avis et Alerte to plan their weekend commuting. Sabourin said those who plan to use their cars over the weekend should move them out of the highlighted area in advance. The downtown area and the west side of the city should not be affected, Sabourin said. 'It's been months of planning, nothing is left to chance,' he said. Vélo Québec president Jean-François Rheault said those who live in the eastern part of the city should use Highway 40 to get around. STM shuttles will also be in place, as many bus routes will be detoured. This year marks the event's 40th anniversary, and cyclists can still sign up to participate. The Tour de l'Île is one of the city's biggest international summer events. This year's theme is the '80s, with participants encouraged to play music and wear clothing to match the era. 'We're proud of this event,' said Sabourin. 'We want this to be a festive, fun and pleasant event for everyone.' Rheault says people have told him they feel more inspired to ride their bikes after participating in the Tour de l'Île, which he finds encouraging. '[Cycling] is a simple solution to complex problems – it's good for mobility, for the environment and for health. It's also good for the economy,' he said. Millions are expected to participate in the two events.
CBC
27-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Here are the Montreal streets that will be pedestrian-only during the summer
Montreal unveiled a list of eight streets that will be pedestrianized during the summer period. The list is pretty similar from year to year, but it gives residents and tourists a sense of when they can roam in the middle of the street while exploring the city on foot or when they might need to adjust their commute. The City of Montreal said the pedestrianization of these streets will make it easier for people to access more than 1,300 businesses. In total, a little more than seven kilometres of roads will be pedestrianized. Here are the eight areas to keep in mind: Mount Royal Avenue between Saint-Denis Street and de Lorimier Avenue from May 26 to Sept. 4, between Saint-Denis Street and Saint-Laurent Boulevard from May 26 to Oct. 16 and between Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Saint-Hubert Street from June 16 to Oct. 16. Duluth Avenue East between Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Saint-Hubert Street from June 16 to Oct. 16. Wellington Street between 6th Avenue and Regina Street from June 2 to Sept. 19. Sainte-Catherine Street East between Saint-Hubert Street and Papineau Avenue (this will include a smaller stretch of road on Saint-Christophe Street) from May 15 to Oct. 14. Saint-Denis Street from Sherbrooke Street to Sainte-Catherine and Émery streets as well as between Sanguinet and Saint-Denis streets from June 14 to Sept. 15. Ontario Street East between Pie-IX Boulevard and Darling Street from June 16 to Sept. 12. Bernard Avenue between Wiseman and Bloomfield avenues from May 24 to Sept. 21. de Castelnau Street East between Saint-Denis Street and de Gaspé Avenue from May 12 to Nov. 7. In its news release, the City of Montreal also pointed out that other streets could be pedestrianized, but that's up to each borough. For example, Place du Marché-du-Nord, which is where the Jean-Talon Market is located, will be pedestrian-only Thursday to Sunday from June 5 to Oct. 19 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. In the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough, Monkland Avenue will be pedestrian-only between Girouard and Melrose avenues from Aug. 21 to Aug. 24. It'll be the same for Lacombe Avenue between Côte-des-Neiges Road and Gatineau Avenue. One notable omission is the St. Hubert Plaza. It was pedestrian-only last summer, but that won't be the case this year.
Montreal Gazette
15-05-2025
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
Michelin comes to Quebec, but who's footing the bill?
By The Michelin Guide has landed in Quebec for the first time, awarding stars to restaurants across the province and putting its chefs on the global culinary map. Unveiled Thursday, the Michelin Guide Québec marks the third Canadian edition after Toronto and Vancouver and the first to cover an entire province. The guide, known for its anonymous inspections and tiered star system, also hands out Bib Gourmands for good value and Green Stars for sustainable gastronomy. But while the inspectors operate in secrecy, so too do many of the financial details behind the guide's arrival. Who's funding the guide? In its initial announcement, Michelin named the Alliance de l'industrie touristique du Québec as its official destination partner, a non-profit organization largely funded by the Quebec and federal governments. The Alliance operates under the public-facing Bonjour Québec brand. Around the world, governments and tourism boards will often contribute funding to bring the Michelin Guide to new regions. According to the Alliance, six additional organizations are financially supporting the guide's marketing over the next three years: Tourisme Montréal, the City of Montreal, Montréal Centre-Ville, Destination Québec cité, the City of Quebec, and Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED). The total value of the partnership has not been disclosed. Sébastian Benedict, vice-president of public communications at the Alliance, said confidentiality clauses in its contract with Michelin prevent full disclosure. That approach mirrors what happened in other Canadian cities. The cost of bringing Michelin to both Toronto and Vancouver also remains undisclosed. One rumour reported by the Vancouver Sun suggested Vancouver's deal cost $5 million, but this has been denied by officials. However, some figures have been made public in Quebec. The City of Montreal told The Gazette it is contributing $300,000, while CED is providing $450,000 to the Alliance. The Alliance said the funds will be used to promote Quebec's culinary scene internationally. Will stars fuel tourism? A 2024 survey by Quebec's tourism ministry found that 70 per cent of prospective summer visitors were interested in the Michelin Guide. Michelin's international director, Gwendal Poullennec, said the guide would 'shine a light' on Quebec's culinary heritage, calling the province a 'rich multicultural mosaic.' This story was originally published May 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM.
CBC
15-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Residents frustrated by rats, blame biweekly trash pickup in Montreal east end borough
Social Sharing Residents of Montreal's Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough say rat sightings are on the rise in their neighbourhoods — and they believe the borough's every-other-week garbage collection is to blame. Janique Leblanc, who's lived in the borough for 15 years, says this is the first time she's seen rats in her neighbourhood. "We have a lot. I never saw rats before April," she said. "I don't want to go outside on my balcony because I'm scared that they're coming," she said. Leblanc said at night, she hears the rats fighting. And every morning, she finds two trapped rats on her property. "I used to love Montreal a lot, but right now, I'm worried," she said. "I cannot live with rats." She's also concerned about the children attending a school next to her place. Although Leblanc says she's called the City of Montreal three times, she says she's seen no action taken. Residents have also expressed their frustration about the presence of rats in a local Facebook group. "There are a lot more these days," wrote one person. "There are more. I've lived here for over 15 years and I never saw one frolicking in the alley before!!" wrote another person. WATCH | Residents say they were left out of decision to change collection system: 'Not very democratic': Residents of Montreal borough weren't consulted before change to garbage collection 5 months ago Duration 2:14 Residents living in Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve say the borough lacked transparency when deciding on changing its garbage collection cycle from weekly to bi-weekly. The change is aimed at encouraging more recycling and composting. Lise Legault, another resident, believes the issue stems from the borough's recent switch to biweekly trash collection — a change aimed at encouraging recycling and composting. She says she contacts the City of Montreal at least twice a week to report people who take their trash out too early — long before the garbage truck arrives. "Let's say that, on Monday, the garbage truck comes by, and the next day, it's full, full of garbage bags lying around," said Legault. "We used to have mice, then we got rid of them, but now we don't want rats ... at the price we pay for rent," she said. The new trash collection schedule, tested since 2022, came into effect across the entire borough as of mid-November 2024. Borough notes decline in complaints about rats Michael Sabourin, a pest control technician with Extermina-mic, points to several contributing factors like the waste collection system, the ban on many rodenticides and construction. "The rat, he's hungry, he goes out, he has a buffet for 13 days and then he has a day when he has nothing to eat [during garbage collection]," he said. Since the shift to biweekly trash collection, Sabourin says demand for his services has nearly doubled. "You pass through the alleyways [where there are restaurants], the containers overflow. You can see a dozen garbage bags. You've got five, six rats on the brick wall, chilling and waiting for supper. It's crazy," said Sabourin. In a statement to CBC, the borough says it has noted a "significant decrease" in complaints related to rodents sightings. "Citizens are better at sorting waste and therefore compost more, which contributes to the sanitary state of the borough," read the statement. "The borough carries out daily operations to ensure compliance with collection schedules, the proper storage of residual materials on private property, and the maintenance of cleanliness." Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve adds that some residents may see rats but choose not to file formal complaints, which could explain the discrepancy between reports and official numbers. Legault is calling on the borough to return to a weekly garbage pickup schedule.
